Last week, University of Idaho Students who identify as Asian, Asian-American or Pacific Islander received an email from Dean of Students Blaine Eckles in response to the Atlanta spa shootings and recent increases in hate crimes. In the attacks, eight people were killed, six of whom were women of Asian descent.
The subject line of Eckles’ email stated “concern and support for you.” In the message, Eckles provided a list of resources for those who have been affected by recent acts of bias and racism.
However, many students who received the email felt targeted. Because the correspondence was only addressed to individuals who identify as Asian, it did little to combat racism on the university’s campus. It also reminded some of trauma and violence against their community.
“University records indicate you have identified as being Asian or Asian-American and Pacific Islander and thus I wanted to touch base with you to see how you are doing/holding up in light of this tragic situation and over the last year,” Eckles stated in the email. “I honestly don’t know if this incident impacted you or any family/friends in a negative way or not, or if you have experienced racial bias due to your ethnicity, but if it have, I am truly sorry and would like to offer my support to you.”
Emma Ramalingam, a UI student who received Eckles email, said the wording in the message could have been better.
“While I think it’s positive for the school to reach out with resources, the email should’ve included a statement about how any racism or discrimination will not be tolerated,” Ramalingam said. “This should be expressed to everyone involved with UI.”
When reached for comment, Eckles said the email was not only sent out to individuals of Asian descent but also to Vandals who live in Georgia and Colorado.
“I want to make sure I’m operating from a standpoint of trying to touch bases with students individually,” Eckles said. “Saying, ‘this is how we can help, here are opportunities for doing that.’”
Eckles said he doesn’t plan to send out a university-wide statement regarding the recent shootings in Atlanta, and that his job is to speak out specifically to students who could be affected.
“Racism, in all of its forms, is absolutely abhorrent to everything our higher education institution stands for,” Eckles said. “It’s wrong on our campus and it’s wrong in our communities.”
Anna Saythavy, president of the Asian American Pacific Islander Association at UI, said some members of the association felt the email was “alienating.”
“By sending it to us — that’s not going to help solve the problem of what’s been going on recently,” Saythavy said. “If you want to be an ally, not even just to the Asian community, you need to put in the work to understand what you’ve been doing, maybe how you’ve been perpetuating all these stereotypes.”
Aleea Banda can be reached at [email protected]